Water is one of the basic necessities for any living being. Due to many factors, including global warming and continuous usage, natural supplies of water have started to dwindle, threatening the existence of the human race. At this point in time, man is faced with various options. One of these is to extracting water from the ground.
When rain water falls on earth, it absorbs into the soil and collects underground. Over the years, civilized societies have learnt to extract this groundwater by constructing and operating extraction wells. This acts as a supplement for the requirement of fresh water during draughts, hot summer months and when no other fresh water source is available. About 20% of the fresh water used on the planet is ground water.
The reservoirs which contain groundwater are generally refilled by natural means. The usual cycle causes no problems, but it is often interrupted by the growth of civilization. More areas of the globe are becoming covered with concrete and this disrupts the absorbance of surface water into the soil, causing depleting ground water levels. Agriculturists, who depended on natural water sources like rivers and rain, have started using more and more ground water which, in turn, has been a major contributor for groundwater depletion. Pollution is another factor that has contributed to reduced ground water levels.
The problems continue, as when the ground water level reduces beyond the optimum level, it affects the eco-balance, increases global warming, and can cause collapsing of the ground. But there are options to reduce this, including reviving old water systems like ponds and lakes, reducing water usage for agriculture by using water-friendly methods, and maintaining available fresh water resources by not polluting them, and rain water harvesting where rain water is collected and stored.
With all of this information in mind, everybody should do their part to top the depletion of our natural resources. Without water, we would be nowhere.